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Junior doctors vote against BMA-negotiated contract deal

Junior doctors and medical students in England have voted to reject the new contract deal by a clear majority.

With a turnout of 68% – around 37,000 junior doctors and medical students – 42% voted in favour of the contract, while 58% voted against, the BMA said.

It added that following the results of the referendum, Junior Doctor Committee chair Dr Johann Malawana will quit his post.

Dr Malawana said: 'The result of the vote is clear, and the government must respect the informed decision junior doctors have made. Any new contract will affect a generation of doctors working for the NHS in England, so it is vital that it has the confidence of the profession.

'Given the result, both sides must look again at the proposals and there should be no transition to a new contract until further talks take place.'

The vote to accept or reject the compromise contract deal was open to junior doctors and final and penultimate year medical students in England who are members of the BMA.

The results come as Dr Malawana and the JDC have toured the country holding some 130 roadshows, informing voters about the deal reached.

Dr Malawana said: 'Having spoken to many junior doctors across the country in recent weeks it was clear that, while some felt the new contract represented an improved offer, others had reservations about what it would mean for their working lives, their patients and the future delivery of care in the NHS. There was also considerable anger and mistrust towards the government’s handling of this dispute.

'These concerns need to be fully addressed before any new contract can come into effect and, in light of the result, I believe a new chair will be better placed to lead on this work.'

Dr Malawana added that there will be 'much to do in order to rebuild the trust that has been eroded over the last year'.

He said: 'The Government must now do the right thing, accept the outcome of this vote and work constructively with the BMA to address junior doctors’ concerns with the new contract.'

The deal to which the JDC had agreed had included compromises from the Government with regards to the reduction of increased pay for working unsociable hours, especially on Saturdays.

Danny Mortimer, chief executive of NHS Employers said: 'I am profoundly disappointed the BMA has rejected the proposed new contract for junior doctors. It is imperative that patients will not be made to suffer any further impact as a result of the rejection of the contract.'

Health secretary Jeremy Hunt said: 'It is extrememly disappointing that junior doctors have voted against this contract, which was agreed with and endorsed by the leader of the BMA Junior Doctors’ Committee and supported by senior NHS leaders.

'The BMA’s figures show that only 40% of those eligible actually voted against this contract, and a third of BMA members didn’t vote at all. We will now consider the outcome.'

Dr Khan told Pulse the outstanding concerns ‘centred around the effectiveness of the "guardian" in ensuring that doctors hours ad rota patterns are safe and reasonable, the fact that there is no pay increase between ST3 and ST8, despite the increase in responsibility and defence fees, and the whole "fidelity" concept which seems to restrict on junior doctors in terms of where they can locum and the rates they can command.'

Well done chaps. I wouldn't have accepted those terms and I've no idea why the BMA rolled over and accepted them. I just hope the BMA backs its members and fights this, instead of citing the Brexit vote as an excuse to not do what it's paid to do.

It will be a summer of discontent spilling into a worse winter than in the 70's! GP's are still waiting for our ballot about our contract and new deal. The denationalisation of the NHS is closer than anyone could predict as there won't be a workforce soon! Playing into the Governments hands and carrying the can when it happens!

So Mr Mortimer thinks that it is the BMA that has rejected the contract and not junior doctors themselves. Is it any wonder that negotiations have not gone well if people like this do not understand the differences?

Danny Mortimer, chief executive of NHS Employers said: 'It is imperative that patients will not be made to suffer any further impact as a result of the rejection of the contract.'Dear Mr Mortimer - the rejection of this contract is ensure patients do not suffer but safe and good care is delivered by happy with good morale and well supported medical force.